Charles J Frazier

Charles J Frazier, Ph.D.

Professor And Associate Chair

Department: Pharmacodynamics
Business Phone: (352) 273-7686
Business Email: cjfraz@ufl.edu

About Charles J Frazier

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2016,2018-2020,2020-2023
PHA5878C Pt Care 3: Cv and Pulm
2015-2018,2020-2023
PHA5560 Pathphys-Pt Assess I
2009-2013,2015-2021,2020-2021
PHA6936 Advanced Topics in Pharmaceutical Sciences
2007,2009-2012,2012-2024,2023-2024
PHA7980 Research for Doctoral Dissertation
2011-2012,2014-2020,2019-2022
PHA6521C Research Techniques in Pharmacodynamics
2006,2009-2024
PHA7979 Advanced Research
2007,2009-2024
PHA6512L Experiential Research Training in Pharmacodynamics
2010-2012,2015-2022,2019-2024,2022-2024
PHA6910 Supervised Research
2010-2012,2020
PHA6971 Research for Master’s Thesis
2019
PHA6935 Selected Topics in Pharmacy
2019,2022-2024
PHA5789C Patient Care 7
2018
GMS7980 Research for Doctoral Dissertation
2018
BME7980 Research for Doctoral Dissertation
2009-2010,2012-2024,2024
PHA6938 Research Seminar
2016
GMS7794 Neuroscience Seminar
2014-2016
PHA5517 Pharmacol Bas Ther 2
2016
PHA4911 Undergraduate Research in Pharmacodynamics
2013,2015
PHA6509 Systems Physiology and Pathophysiology II
2015
PHA5561C Physiol Bas Disease 2
2007,2009-2013,2013-2014
PHA7939 Journal Colloquy in Pharmacodynamics
2014,2022-2024
PHA6508 Systems Physiology and Pathophysiology I
2010-2014
PHA5560C Physiol Bas Disease 1
2012
PHA5516 Basis of Therapeu 1
2010,2012
PHA5902 Research Pharmacodyna
2010
PHA4902 Prob Pharmacodynamics
2010
PHA6540 Neurochem Founda
2006-2008
GMS6022 Prin Neuroscience 2

Research Profile

My lab specializes in cellular neurophysiology and optical imaging. In a broad sense, the goal of our work is to contribute to the development of a thorough mechanistic understanding of how excitability is regulated, and information is processed, at the synaptic level in the mammalian CNS. We also attempt to use such information to develop a better understanding of how the brain fails to work in a number of abnormal or diseased states (including mood and anxiety disorders, geriatric memory dysfunction, and drug abuse). We believe that the type of basic mechanistic information that our work seeks to provide will ultimately be essential in order to develop maximally effective therapeutic interventions for such disorders.

At present we have three specific areas of research focus. The first is on centrally acting oxytocin and its role in mental health disorders, the second is on age related changes in cellular and synaptic physiology, with an emphasis on NMDA receptor and/or GABAB receptor mediated signalling in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, and the third is on endocannabinoid mediated signalling and its ability to modulate tonic inhibition in the dentate gyrus.

In addition, we are also very interested in technology development and application in neurobiology. Consistent with that interest, we have recently completed construction of a 2-photon based laser scanning epifluorescence microscope that is well integrated into a system capable of high end conventional cellular neurophysiology. We are currently using this technology to study age related changes in calcium influx into single dendritic spines of CA1 pyramidal cells, and to evaluate the effect of autocrine activation of oxytocin receptors on centrally projecting axons of OTR positive magnocellular neurons.

Finally, we are also invested in software development for use in neurobiology and currently are developing or maintaining separate software programs designed for off-line analysis of electrophysiological data (Ophys), telemetry data (Telem-a-Gator), and line scan data from quantitative two photon imaging experiments (Scan-a-Gator).

We are often looking for highly motivated students and postdocs with a strong technical background and a sincere interest in the work. Please send inquiries about available positions directly to frazier@cop.ufl.edu.

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

0000-0003-3550-4789

Publications

2024
Alleviating Hypertension by Selectively Targeting Angiotensin Receptor-Expressing Vagal Sensory Neurons.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 44(9) [DOI] 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1154-23.2023. [PMID] 38242697.
2023
Circuit and Cell-Specific Contributions to Decision Making Involving Risk of Explicit Punishment in Male and Female Rats
The Journal of Neuroscience. 43(26):4837-4855 [DOI] 10.1523/jneurosci.0276-23.2023.
2023
Circuit and cell-specific contributions to decision making involving risk of explicit punishment in male and female rats.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. [DOI] 10.1101/2023.01.15.524142. [PMID] 36711946.
2022
A Novel Organ-Specific Approach to Selectively Target Sensory Afferents Innervating the Aortic Arch.
Frontiers in physiology. 13 [DOI] 10.3389/fphys.2022.841078. [PMID] 35399269.
2022
A rapid in vitro assay for evaluating the effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and reactivators in the rat basolateral amygdala.
Frontiers in cellular neuroscience. 16 [DOI] 10.3389/fncel.2022.1066312. [PMID] 36479275.
2022
Intrahypothalamic effects of oxytocin on PVN CRH neurons in response to acute stress
Current Opinion in Endocrine and Metabolic Research. 26 [DOI] 10.1016/j.coemr.2022.100382. [PMID] 36618014.
2022
Targeting angiotensin type-2 receptors located on pressor neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract to relieve hypertension in mice
Cardiovascular Research. 118(3):883-896 [DOI] 10.1093/cvr/cvab085. [PMID] 33723600.
2021
Alteration of the cholinergic system and motor deficits in cholinergic neuron-specific Dyt1 knockout mice.
Neurobiology of disease. 154 [DOI] 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105342. [PMID] 33757902.
2021
An Angiotensin-Responsive Connection from the Lamina Terminalis to the Paraventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus Evokes Vasopressin Secretion to Increase Blood Pressure in Mice.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 41(7):1429-1442 [DOI] 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1600-20.2020. [PMID] 33328294.
2021
Attenuated NMDAR signaling on fast-spiking interneurons in prefrontal cortex contributes to age-related decline of cognitive flexibility.
Neuropharmacology. 197 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108720. [PMID] 34273386.
2021
Author response: Dendritic osmosensors modulate activity-induced calcium influx in oxytocinergic magnocellular neurons of the mouse PVN
. [DOI] 10.7554/elife.63486.sa2.
2021
Dendritic osmosensors modulate activity-induced calcium influx in oxytocinergic magnocellular neurons of the mouse PVN
eLife. 10 [DOI] 10.7554/elife.63486.
2020
Endogenous oxytocin inhibits hypothalamic corticotrophin‐releasing hormone neurones following acute hypernatraemia
Journal of Neuroendocrinology. 32(3) [DOI] 10.1111/jne.12839. [PMID] 32133707.
2020
Region-specific effects of HIV-1 Tat on intrinsic electrophysiological properties of pyramidal neurons in mouse prefrontal cortex and hippocampus
Journal of Neurophysiology. 123(4):1332-1341 [DOI] 10.1152/jn.00029.2020. [PMID] 32101482.
2019
Optogenetic dissection of basolateral amygdala contributions to intertemporal choice in young and aged rats.
eLife. 8 [DOI] 10.7554/eLife.46174. [PMID] 31017572.
2019
Oxytocin Receptors Are Expressed by Glutamatergic Prefrontal Cortical Neurons That Selectively Modulate Social Recognition
The Journal of Neuroscience. 39(17):3249-3263 [DOI] 10.1523/jneurosci.2944-18.2019.
2017
Chronic salt-loading reduces basal excitatory input to CRH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and accelerates recovery from restraint stress in male mice.
Physiology & behavior. 176:189-194 [DOI] 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.03.038. [PMID] 28351560.
2017
Optogenetic Inhibition Reveals Distinct Roles for Basolateral Amygdala Activity at Discrete Time Points During Risky Decision Making
The Journal of Neuroscience. 37(48):11537-11548 [DOI] 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2344-17.2017.
2016
Age-related changes in tonic activation of presynaptic versus extrasynaptic γ-amniobutyric acid type B receptors in rat medial prefrontal cortex.
Neurobiology of aging. 45:88-97 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.05.015. [PMID] 27459929.
2016
Alcohol consumption increases basal extracellular glutamate in the nucleus accumbens core of Sprague-Dawley rats without increasing spontaneous glutamate release.
The European journal of neuroscience. 44(2):1896-905 [DOI] 10.1111/ejn.13284. [PMID] 27207718.
2016
Increasing brain angiotensin converting enzyme 2 activity decreases anxiety-like behavior in male mice by activating central Mas receptors.
Neuropharmacology. 105:114-123 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.12.026. [PMID] 26767952.
2016
NR2A-Containing NMDARs in the Prefrontal Cortex Are Required for Working Memory and Associated with Age-Related Cognitive Decline.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 36(50):12537-12548 [PMID] 27807032.
2016
Oxytocin depolarizes fast-spiking hilar interneurons and induces GABA release onto mossy cells of the rat dentate gyrus.
Hippocampus. 26(9):1124-39 [DOI] 10.1002/hipo.22595. [PMID] 27068005.
2015
Hydration and beyond: neuropeptides as mediators of hydromineral balance, anxiety and stress-responsiveness.
Frontiers in systems neuroscience. 9 [DOI] 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00046. [PMID] 25873866.
2015
Molecular aspects of age-related cognitive decline: the role of GABA signaling.
Trends in molecular medicine. 21(7):450-60 [DOI] 10.1016/j.molmed.2015.05.002. [PMID] 26070271.
2014
A method for high purity intestinal epithelial cell culture from adult human and murine tissues for the investigation of innate immune function.
Journal of immunological methods. 414:20-31 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jim.2014.08.002. [PMID] 25193428.
2014
Prefrontal cortical GABAergic dysfunction contributes to age-related working memory impairment.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 34(10):3457-66 [DOI] 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5192-13.2014. [PMID] 24599447.
2013
Acute hypernatremia exerts an inhibitory oxytocinergic tone that is associated with anxiolytic mood in male rats.
Endocrinology. 154(7):2457-67 [DOI] 10.1210/en.2013-1049. [PMID] 23653461.
2013
Angiotensin type 1a receptors in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus protect against diet-induced obesity.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 33(11):4825-33 [DOI] 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3806-12.2013. [PMID] 23486953.
2013
Marijuana, endocannabinoids, and epilepsy: potential and challenges for improved therapeutic intervention.
Experimental neurology. 244:43-50 [DOI] 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.11.047. [PMID] 22178327.
2013
Preformed vs. on-demand: molecular economics of endocannabinoid signalling.
The Journal of physiology. 591(19):4683-4 [DOI] 10.1113/jphysiol.2013.262717. [PMID] 24085490.
2011
Cannabinoid receptor agonists potentiate action potential-independent release of GABA in the dentate gyrus through a CB1 receptor-independent mechanism.
The Journal of physiology. 589(Pt 15):3801-21 [DOI] 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.211482. [PMID] 21646412.
2011
Development and characterization of immobilized cannabinoid receptor (CB1/CB2) open tubular column for on-line screening.
Analytical biochemistry. 412(1):85-91 [DOI] 10.1016/j.ab.2010.12.034. [PMID] 21215722.
2011
Key questions of endocannabinoid signalling in the CNS: which, where and when?
The Journal of physiology. 589(Pt 20):4807-8 [DOI] 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.219493. [PMID] 22001725.
2010
mGluR-mediated and endocannabinoid-dependent long-term depression in the hilar region of the rat dentate gyrus.
Neuropharmacology. 58(4-5):712-21 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2009.12.022. [PMID] 20045707.
2010
Muscarinic receptor activation modulates the excitability of hilar mossy cells through the induction of an afterdepolarization.
Brain research. 1318:42-51 [DOI] 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.01.011. [PMID] 20079344.
2010
Two distinct and activity-dependent mechanisms contribute to autoreceptor-mediated inhibition of GABAergic afferents to hilar mossy cells.
The Journal of physiology. 588(Pt 15):2801-22 [DOI] 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.184648. [PMID] 20547680.
2008
Characterization of a multiple ligand-gated ion channel cellular membrane affinity chromatography column and identification of endogenously expressed receptors in astrocytoma cell lines.
Analytical chemistry. 80(22):8673-80 [DOI] 10.1021/ac8016407. [PMID] 18847217.
2008
Excitatory afferents to CA3 pyramidal cells display differential sensitivity to CB1 dependent inhibition of synaptic transmission.
Neuropharmacology. 55(7):1140-6 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2008.07.007. [PMID] 18675282.
2007
Endocannabinoids in the dentate gyrus.
Progress in brain research. 163:319-37 [PMID] 17765727.
2007
Presynaptic inhibition of excitatory afferents to hilar mossy cells.
Journal of neurophysiology. 97(6):4036-47 [PMID] 17442771.
2006
Endocannabinoid-mediated depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition in hilar mossy cells of the rat dentate gyrus.
Journal of neurophysiology. 96(5):2501-12 [PMID] 16807350.
2005
Medial septal/diagonal band cells express multiple functional nicotinic receptor subtypes that are correlated with firing frequency.
Neuroscience letters. 389(3):163-8 [PMID] 16112453.
2005
Septal innervation regulates the function of alpha7 nicotinic receptors in CA1 hippocampal interneurons.
Experimental neurology. 195(2):342-52 [PMID] 16000197.
2003
Nicotinic receptors on local circuit neurons in dentate gyrus: a potential role in regulation of granule cell excitability.
Journal of neurophysiology. 89(6):3018-28 [PMID] 12611982.
1998
Acetylcholine activates an alpha-bungarotoxin-sensitive nicotinic current in rat hippocampal interneurons, but not pyramidal cells.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 18(4):1187-95 [PMID] 9454829.
1998
Synaptic potentials mediated via alpha-bungarotoxin-sensitive nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat hippocampal interneurons.
The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 18(20):8228-35 [PMID] 9763468.
1997
Elevation of basal protein kinase C activity increases ethanol sensitivity of GABA(A) receptors in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.
Journal of neurochemistry. 68(5):1949-59 [PMID] 9109521.
1996
Cholinergic deafferentation enhances rat hippocampal pyramidal neuron responsiveness to locally applied nicotine.
Brain research. 727(1-2):217-20 [PMID] 8842401.
1996
Platelet-derived growth factor induces a long-term inhibition of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor function.
The Journal of biological chemistry. 271(27):16151-9 [PMID] 8663218.

Grants

Feb 2024 ACTIVE
EVALUATION OF NOVEL COMPOUNDS POTENTIALLY TARGETING CENTRAL SIGMA RECEPTORS REGARDING THEIR ABILITY TO LOWER BLOOD GLUCOSE IN DIABETIC MICE.
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: ALCHEM LABORATORIES, INC
Jul 2023 ACTIVE
Hematopoietic cell mobilization from distinct bone marrow compartments following retinal injury
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: UNIV OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM via NATL INST OF HLTH NEI
Mar 2023 – Sep 2023
Angiotensin-sensitive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract mediate social stress induced hypertension
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NHLBI
Mar 2023 ACTIVE
Brain-Gut-Retina Axis in Diabetic Retinopathy
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: UNIV OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM via NATL INST OF HLTH NEI
Nov 2022 – Jan 2023
Evaluation of novel compounds potentially targeting central sigma receptors using both in vivo and in vitro assays
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: ALCHEM LABORATORIES, INC
Aug 2021 ACTIVE
Effects of cannabis on age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimers disease pathology
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIA
Jun 2021 ACTIVE
Identification of novel reactivators of organophosphate inhibited acetylcholinesterase
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: ALCHEM LABORATORIES, INC via US DEPT OF DEFENSE
May 2021 ACTIVE
Mechanisms and therapeutic potential of vagus nerve stimulation in aging and Alzheimers disease
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIA
Jul 2020 – Jun 2023
Consequence and mechanism of diet-driven vagal remodeling on gut-brain feeding behavior
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA via NATL INST OF HLTH NIDDK
Jun 2019 – May 2021
Somatostatin blockade of CNS autonomic hyperactivity for treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: UNIV OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM via NATL INST OF HLTH NEI
Jan 2019 – Aug 2023
Interrogating distinct angiotensin type-1 and type-2 receptor containing brain circuits to understand and alleviate hypertension
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NHLBI
Sep 2018 – Aug 2023
Decision making and basolateral amygdala dysfunction in aging
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIA
Dec 2017 – Nov 2022
Neurons expressing angiotensin type 2 receptors in the NTS as an access point for cardiovascular control.
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NHLBI
Feb 2015 – Jan 2021
Novel Aspects of Central Oxytocin Signaling Relevant to Mood/Anxiety Disorders
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIMH

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 273-7686
Emails:
Business:
cjfraz@ufl.edu
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
PO Box 100487
GAINESVILLE FL 32610
Business Street:
1600 SW ARCHER RD
MSB P2-29
GAINESVILLE FL 326103003